In the dynamic world of Information Technology, efficient management of licenses and services is a crucial aspect that directly impacts business operations. Cisco offers a comprehensive solution to this through its Intersight platform and Smart Accounts. Together, they provide a seamless experience for managing your organization's licenses and services. In this post, we will discuss the value of linking Intersight licenses with Smart Accounts, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to create a Smart Account and link it with your Intersight licenses.
Benefits of Linking Intersight Licenses with Smart Accounts
- Centralized Management: A Smart Account allows you to manage all your Cisco licenses and devices from one centralized location, ensuring efficient use of resources.
- Efficient Allocation: You can easily allocate and transfer licenses between various devices and services as per your requirements.
- Simplified Operations: The process of buying, deploying, and managing licenses is simplified, leading to higher operational efficiency.
- Transparency: You have clear visibility into license ownership, usage, and entitlement.
- Cost Savings: Efficient license management helps avoid unnecessary purchases, leading to cost savings.
- Flexibility: Smart Accounts offer flexibility in managing licenses according to changing business needs.
- Compliance: This setup helps ensure your organization stays compliant with Cisco licensing rules and regulations.
- Easy Access: You get easy access to entitlements and service contracts, enhancing customer experience.
Creating a Cisco Smart Account
Creating a Cisco Smart Account is the first step towards leveraging these benefits. Here's how you can do it:
1. Visit Cisco Software Central at software.cisco.com.
2. Click "Register to create a new Smart Account" if you don't have a Cisco.com account. Existing Cisco.com account holders can click on "Request a Smart Account".
3. Fill out the required information such as company name, address, and contact information.
4. Click "Submit" to create the Smart Account.
Once the Smart Account is created, it may take some time for Cisco to validate your request. Once validated, you can link this Smart Account to your Intersight platform.
Linking Smart Account to Licensing in Intersight
Now that you have a Smart Account, you can link it with your Intersight licenses:
1. Login to your Cisco Intersight account.
2. Navigate to the "Administration" section.
3. Select "Settings" and then "Licensing".
4. Click on "Edit Settings".
5. In the "Cisco Smart Account" field, enter your Smart Account ID.
6. In the "Virtual Account" field, enter your Virtual Account ID.
7. Click "Save".
Your Cisco Smart Account is now linked to your license in Cisco Intersight. Now you can manage, allocate, and transfer licenses as per your requirements.
Linking your Intersight licenses with a Cisco Smart Account offers an efficient, transparent, and cost-effective way to manage your organization's licenses and services. By following these steps, you can take advantage of Cisco's advanced features, streamline your operations, and ensure that your organization gets the maximum value from its Cisco software investments.
